Cincinnati Playhouse's Off the Hill Series Continues with JOAN THE GIRL OF ARC Premiere, Now thru 2/22

The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park's Off the Hill series for families continues in January with the world premiere of JOAN THE GIRL OF ARC, which will tour to community venues throughout the Tristate from tonight, Jan. 17 through Feb. 22. Recommended for ages 11 and up, this inspiring play offers a new perspective on the classic story of the young woman who helped save France.

The adventure opens with Joan as a young girl just starting to examine her beliefs. As she begins to understand herself and the world around her, she learns to inspire and lead others.

JOAN THE GIRL OF ARC will be directed by Playhouse Associate Artist KJ Sanchez, who recently directed the world premiere of Seven Spots on the Sun in the Thompson Shelterhouse Theatre. "When I was a young girl, Joan of Arc was one of my first heroes," Sanchez said. "I grew up before terrific books like The Hunger Games and had no heroic figures my age. To top it off, Joan was a girl, this young girl who changed the course of the war between France and England. That she was a real person, no less, was incredibly appealing. Hers is a story of courage - the courage to stand up for what she believed in. When all the adults in her life doubted her, Joan held to what she knew to be true and changed history with her courage."

This adaptation is written by Darrah Cloud, who previously wrote What's Buggin' Greg for Off the Hill in 2011. "I was drawn to the writer because of her skills and passion for our work," said Mark Lutwak, education director at The Playhouse. "We agreed that the story of Joan of Arc had a lot in it to speak to the youth of today."

Chelsea D. Harrison (Joan), Jon Kovach (Daniel), Rico Reid (Father/Captain Baudricort/High Priest), Shayna Schmidt (Denise) and Justin Weaks (Father Moreau/Dauphin)
from The Playhouse's Bruce E. Coyle Intern Company will appear in JOAN THE GIRL OF ARC. Other production team members include Christopher Boone (Set Designer), Gordon DeVinney (Costume Designer), Jeremy J. Lee (Sound Designer) and Tracy Hoida (Stage Manager).

For more information about The Playhouse's education and outreach programs, contact the Education Department at 513-345-2242 or visit www.cincyplay.com.

Off the Hill is made possible by The Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation. The season is presented by The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation and Heidelberg Distributing Company. The season sponsor of new work is The Lois and Richard Rosenthal Foundation.

The Playhouse is supported, in part, by the generosity of the tens of thousands of individuals and businesses that give to ArtsWave.

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund The Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

The Playhouse also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.